WIRE: Minnesota regulators expand medical cannabis program

Saint Paul, MN — State health regulators have decided to expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include patients diagnosed with autism and sleep apnea.

Advocates petitioned health officials to add the two new qualifications, as well as several other diagnoses – such as anxiety – that regulators ultimately rejected. Health officials also denied requests to expand the program to permit patients to access whole-plant cannabis or edibles. Under existing law, qualified patients may only access cannabis-infused oils.

Patients with autism and/or sleep apnea will be eligible to participate in the program beginning on July 1, 2018.

For more information, contact Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, at (202) 483-5500.